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Traffic Safety Campaigns
While traffic safety campaigns play a vital role in distracted driving prevention, traditional methods of encouraging safe driving are proving to be ineffective in the fight to reduce the number of drivers who use their cell phones while driving.
Many distracted driving prevention campaigns are based on the “Don’t text and drive” message. This type of command works best where there is an applicable traffic safety law in place prohibiting the behavior, coupled with strong law enforcement and sizeable fines for violation of the law.
Unfortunately, when it comes to distracted driving prevention, this type of message is not effective because distracted driving laws are very difficult to enforce and carry small fines.
Thus, when considering viable alternatives, and the fact that distracted driving is no longer limited to younger drivers, an appeal to a driver’s self-protection will form the foundation of an effective distracted driving campaign.
READ MY FULL SOLUTION FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY
School Districts/High Schools
Because teen drivers are most at risk for a distracted driving accident, it is important that high schools take a strong role in distracted driving prevention.
However, instead of using a one-time event or assembly that targets distracted driving, we are advocating that high schools bolster their distracted driving prevention efforts by implementing a comprehensive driver safety program.
An example of a full-fledged teen driver protection program is the Drive By Example Driving Safety Program For School Districts. This type of program not only addresses distracted driving, but also encourages teen drivers to adopt higher driving standards.
Using signs, alerts, events, and other safety initiatives in a single, sustained campaign, the Drive By Example message consistently reminds students to drive alert, buckled, and cautious.
While Drive By Example does not specifically target distracted driving, the clear, concise, and memorable message keeps driver safety high on the student consciousness, and influences teens to model a safe driving approach.
Additionally, I am recommending that school districts include driving safety education (DSE) into their health and wellness curriculum. In 2015, Drive By Example will be creating a 6 week course on a tablet format that will allow a school district to easily implement DSE.
This, in conjunction with the overall Drive By Example campaign, will not only help to reduce the types of accidents that cause serious injury and death, but will also improve the community driving culture.
READ MY FULL SOLUTION FOR TEEN DRIVER SAFETY
Corporations
Cell phone driving has not only created a new universe of roadway risk for the public-at-large, but also for corporate America.
Smart phones, tablets, and hand-held computers have turned the vehicle into a mobile office for both blue and white collar workers. This, coupled with productivity demands, creates a significant roadway hazard and contributes to the new universe of roadway risk.
Recent multi-million dollar judgments against corporations whose employees have seriously injured or killed others while using portable technology while driving has forced companies to come to terms with the significant risk and exposure created by employee on-the-job distracted driving.
READ MY FULL SOLUTIONÂ ON DRIVER SAFETY FOR CORPORATIONS[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
